Ode to Sharon

Pictures of Sharon and I through the years.

WARNING: This post may be long winded and contain some sisterly context.

Today is Sharon's 29th birthday. We were born only 18 months apart. I'm sure at times we took turns being the bain of existance for the other. I remember fighting, getting a chunk of my hair pulled out over whose turn it was to jump on the trampoline. I remember accidently hitting you with a dart in your leg when I was aiming for the tree in our back yard. Most of all I remember having my best friend always there. You were there to feed teeny tiny sandwiches and popcorn to Barbies with me. You were there to make blanket forts with me. You were there every time we moved. We shared clothes, crushes on the same boys, dreams of the future when the future was so far away. I always knew that you were there. You were there to tell me that I had showered two hours early for seminary. You were there when I got my mission call. You comforted me and you loved me. You were always willing to play Jessica's Theme for me on the piano when I wanted to hear it. That little picture of flowers that you drew for me on my mission, I don't know if you know, but I used to carry it around with me everywhere, everyday.
I'd show it to members and investigators, my little piece of you.

Now we are both wives and mothers, and I miss my roommate. I miss having you so close. I love our daily phone calls. You are still my best friend. I still get to share my dreams of the not too distant future. Thanks for still loving me and comforting me and for just being there. I hope that you know how much I love and value you in my life. And don't worry about getting older. I'm always 18 months ahead of you scouting out the road and making sure that it is safe for you. I'll blaze the trail for you.
Love you Sharebear--Kath

Let's Go Fly A Kite

On Sunday we had a picnic with the kids and tried to fly the kite that we got for Gideon for his birthday. We had been waiting for a windy day for a couple of weeks and I thought it finally looked windy enough to try. Matt and I decided that the highest we got it to go up was about 40 ft. and the longest time was probably about a minute and a half. In other words we were not very successful in our attempts. However I have to say that I don't think I've ever had so much fun failing at something. The girls kept on trying to catch the x-wing every time it would go up for 10 or 20 seconds and come right back down. We kept at it right through a 10 minute drizzle laughing all the way. I hope that we can have many more kite flying adventures.

The Inevitable Has Happened

Eden's hair strewn across the floor.

The best view I could get of the damage.

The look of guilt.
The new do.

Eden has been using scissors for atleast 2 years. I thought for sure we were past the time and age when she would decide to take it upon herself to cut her own hair. GRRRRR....... Luckily I have a wonderful sister that came over today and fixed it for me. There is one short spot but it should stay hidden for the most part. We had a nice long talk yesterday about scissors and what we are supposed and not supposed to cut. I told her that if she ever cut her hair again that we would cut it super dooper short. She hopefully gets it now. I am counting my blessings that her hair was back and that she couldn't cut any crazy bangs.

Bolt

This is my new favorite drawing of Gideon's. He brought it home from school a few days ago and I think it is so cute. My favorite part is our family sitting or atleast our heads sitting on the couch together watching Bolt. Although the rest of the picture is very cool too. For any of you who doesn't know the movie, Bolt is shooting lazers out of his eyes and knocking a helicopter out of the sky. We love this movie.

Birthday Boy at School

The Whole Class

Ms. Merric and Gideon

So on the 20th I brought my mom's Black Bottom Cupcakes for Gideon's class to celebrate his birthday. I wanted to get a picture of Gideon and his Kindergarden teacher Ms. Merric. He has really enjoyed being in her class this year. Recently I told him that she wouldn't be his teacher next year and he was very sad. I had to explain that she only taught the Kindergarden class and that he was going to be in 1st Grade. He still thought it was pretty sad even after I explained it.

I thought that it was funny that as soon as I pulled out the camera the kids were clamoring to have their picture taken. I got several but I thought it was funny that Eden was standing in the middle of the one I posted so there you go.

Addendum to the 14 Layer Jello

So to make the jello. Have 7 different flavors and colors of jello in 3 oz packages. To start pick one flavor, combine the jello with 1 cup water in a pan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly until jello is dissolved. Take out a 1/3 cup jello and put aside in a boil and add 2 Tbsp of cold water. Add a 1/3 cup sour cream to your jello in the pan, stir until all the lumps are gone. Pour the sour cream jello mixture into a glass 9x13 pan and let it set for 35 minutes. After sour cream layer is completely set (no jiggling) pour the set aside jello on top and let set for 25 minutes. Repeat until you've done all 7 packages of jello. Top with whipped cream and pistachios.

Tips-
Start on your next color before your jello sets so that it will be cooled off enough to not melt your set jello. I had two different colors setting out waiting to go on.
Also if your jello waiting to go on sets a little bit you can warm it on the stove for a minute or put it in the microwave for 15 seconds.
The clear layer is really thin so make sure you get an even coat all over your 9x13.
Have fun and enjoy your beautiful jello.